TO: NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND FROM: Jon Cicirelli
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: FAMILY CAMP STATUS REPORT DATE: February 22, 2022 Approved Date
3/2/22
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the report on Family Camp at Yosemite in advance of its return for the 2022 season.
OUTCOME
The Neighborhood Services and Education Committee will be updated on the status of the City’s Family Camp in Groveland, California.
BACKGROUND
Family Camp at Yosemite (Family Camp) is a 51.2-acre site near Yosemite National Park, situated on federal land which is leased from the United States Forest Service (USFS). It has been managed by the City of San José since 1968. Family Camp provides 70 wood-framed and canvas-covered platform-tents scattered among the pines and oak trees along the Middle Fork of the Tuolumne River. Campers enjoy three staff-prepared meals per day, which are served cafeteria-style in the dining hall. Other camp amenities include an amphitheater, archery range, campfire ring, gift shop, laundry facilities, nature center, patio and deck area, a large turf playfield, restrooms, showers, service buildings, a tot play area, and a designated swimming zone in the Tuolumne River. These amenities are complemented by the facility's close proximity to natural recreation areas such as Rainbow Falls and other nearby hiking trails, making Family Camp a fun, family-friendly natural destination for visitors. Family Camp also has critical support infrastructure, including potable water wells and a sewage evaporation pond facility.
Recreational camps like Family Camp are instrumental in exposing families, children and adults of all ages, cultures and abilities to the natural wilderness environment. With an operating history that spans over 50 years, Family Camp has an impressive following of lifelong campers NSE AGENDA: 03/10/22
ITEM: (d) 6
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
that are dedicated in their support of the campgrounds and the recreation opportunities provided.
A trip to Family Camp is often the very first wilderness experience many San José families have, and for some youth, Family Camp may be their first experience outside of San José. Family Camp begins operations on the last weekend in April for opening day of trout fishing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and closes for the winter in October.
Family Camp occupancy ranges from 70 to 300 campers per night, with a summer support staff of approximately 40 to 60 seasonal employees and volunteers. The summer program operates seven days per week from mid-June through mid-August, with complete in-house meal services and a variety of structured recreational and interpretive activities. Private groups may reserve Family Camp during the pre- and post-season. Family Camp hosts various community organizations such as faith-based groups, school groups, and other non-profit organizations.
In 2017, the City entered into a 20-year use permit/land lease agreement with the USFS. The current permit expires December 31, 2036. The approval of a 20-year lease agreement, along with the approved Master Development Plan, brings a collaborative approach to managing camp with the USFS.
Before the start of the 2020 camping season, complications from the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of Family Camp. The closure was extended into 2021 due to the pandemic’s impacts on program planning. Family Camp has not hosted guests or generated income since its seasonal closure in October 2019.
ANALYSIS
Under guidance from the Tuolumne and Santa Clara County Public Health Departments and due to complications and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the City suspended camp operation for Family Camp for the 2020 and 2021 seasons. During the closure to the public, staff continued to move forward on planned projects to repair, maintain and enhance infrastructure in anticipation of Family Camp return to service.
Family Camp at Yosemite will open to the public for the 2022 season. The opening process for the facility will include an assessment of Family Camp grounds and any needed seasonal repairs.
This opening process will begin with a project work week where Department staff will spend seven to 10 days making repairs and additions to site infrastructure. This will be followed by the recruitment of Camp Counselors and the development of schedules for the pre-, post- and summer camping seasons.
Occupancy and Financial Performance
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
Attachment A shows Family Camp’s occupancy rates from 2013 through 2019 before the shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attachment B shows Family Camp financial results from 2013-2014 through January 2022. Following two years of closure, new safety protocols will be implemented for staff and campers in consideration of COVID-19 safety including dining service procedures and tent sanitation when guests leave. In anticipation of a return to service for the 2022 season, Family Camp is planning to operate under reduced guest capacity to maintain social distancing and promote healthy outdoor activities.
Looking to the future, staff is exploring special events to augment the pre- and post-season schedules and boost facility utilization. These independent opportunities will focus on the introduction of new community-based recreation events that can be hosted on a yearly basis.
These events will be introduced in a manner that ensures there will be little interruption for regular pre- and post-season rental partners.
Programming & Facility Improvements
During the suspension of Family Camp, the Department has continued to support the maintenance and development of new amenities throughout the facility. Improvements such as the repair of the interior service road, the installation of a heating and cooling system to the Office and Tuolumne Room, and the installation of a new horseshoe pit are examples of a continued effort to bring needed improvements to camp. The items listed below are examples of projects completed by City staff. Attachment C summarizes capital project costs since 2017. • Service Road Repair – The service road entrance to Family Camp serves as an interior access point for the dining hall side of the facility and the kitchen. Food delivery, trash pick-up, and site maintenance are highly dependent upon this road being accessible. Due to damage from the Rim Fire and poor drainage, the service road needed repair. The service road repair project entailed a half-mile section of asphalt that was removed and repaved, including installation of new culverts and drains to slow the effects of erosion. • Blacktop Fence Repair – The fence separating the blacktop area in front of the main office was upgraded to include a new netting system to help keep participants safe. • Camp Store Wall and Floor Upgrades – To improve the appeal of the Family Camp General Store, the paneling of the store was replaced with brand new wooden shiplap that adds a new feel to the space. This was done in conjunction with a grind and floor seal to improve the look of the area as well.
• Tuolumne Room/Office Air Conditioning Unit Installation – Wall mounted air conditioning units were installed in both the Tuolumne Room and main office at camp.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
These units will help maintain a comfortable atmosphere in two of Family Camp’s most heavily visited locations.
• Tuolumne Room Paneling Upgrade – As a main amenity to many participants at camp, the Tuolumne Room is a welcoming hub of foot traffic for the facility. During the suspension, a large portion of the wood paneling in the Tuolumne Room was replaced to create a very warm and bright atmosphere for campers.
• Horseshoe Pit Placement – To encourage self-directed play, a previously abandoned horseshoe pit was revitalized and now features a picnic setting by this engaging activity. • Wireless Public Address System Installation & Upgrade – At the close of 2019, a new wireless public address system was installed. Since its original installation, additional bullhorn speakers have been added to enhance coverage.
• Kitchen Kettle & Hood Installation – To aid in food preparation, staff installed a commercial grade kettle into the kitchen area. In accordance with regulations governing commercial appliances, an accompanying hood was installed as well.
In addition to the improvements listed above, the Department is looking to include an onsite disc golf area for Family Camp participants. Once designed and developed, it will provide another avenue for community-based outdoor recreation.
Staffing
Family Camp’s goal each summer is to hire or bring back a total of 60 Camp Counselors who are paid a daily stipend. The table below highlights a concerning downward trend in staffing.
Year 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Stipend Staff Count 46 43 40 32 28 34
In 2019, Family Camp began to reverse the downward trend in stipend staff retention. Through increased pay, training opportunities, flexible scheduling and more available workdays, stipend staff reported higher morale and a shift towards a positive work culture. This progress was slowed by the suspension of Family Camp. To move forward, the Department is planning to increase recruitment efforts in the areas surrounding Family Camp and enhance visibility in San José as well. In the future, the Department plans to develop an internship program that will provide a pipeline of camp staff through the college and university system in and around the greater Bay Area.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
To improve retention, the Department will schedule facility breaks into the summer schedule to provide adequate rest days for staff as well as increase the number of days dedicated to training staff specifically for the summer season.
Updated Reservation Software
The City entered into a service agreement with Art Street Interactive in 2014 to provide registration and site management software for Family Camp through its Camava platform. Over time, the registration management software was outgrown by the needs of the community it was developed to serve. During the suspension of Family Camp, staff identified the need to update the Camava software because it was no longer able to support the updated reservation and customer service needs of Family Camp. Art Street Interactive was again contracted to develop up-to-date registration software through an open bid process. This software, which will be ready for release for the 2022 summer season at Family Camp, will offer a robust registration and reservation system, a point-of-sale terminal for the Office and Camp Store, and a data collection tool to aid the Department in its pursuit to offer the best outdoor recreation experience possible.
Online registration for Family Camp at Yosemite will open in early March 2022.
Collaborative Partnerships
Staff continues to focus on expanding collaborative partnerships with local area groups, corporations, and volunteers, to supplement staff, increase occupancy, and improve revenue opportunities as well as participation by underserved groups:
• United States Forest Service (USFS) – The USFS utilizes Family Camp as a meeting and training space for their work force.
• Tuolumne River Trust (Trust) – The Trust continues to provide onsite Family Camp improvement projects to be undertaken by the Trust volunteer program, including AmeriCorps teams. The Trust also provides forest health and restoration projects in and around the Family Camp area while boarding at Family Camp. • San José Conservation Corps (SJCC) – Each spring and fall, camp hosts a small group of students from SJCC. They work alongside camp staff and the Department’s Capital Infrastructure Team, helping to open and close the camp season. • Team Rubicon – Team Rubicon, a veteran disaster relief organization, continues to be a resource for volunteer workers for Family Camp at Yosemite • California Conservation Corps (CCC) – The CCC received federal funding to provide wildfire recovery efforts in Tuolumne County in 2019 and used Family Camp as a base
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
camp. Family Camp hosted 30 to 45 corps members from late March to mid-September.
While at camp, corps members helped with day-to-day operations and projects. This same group of corps members was instrumental in helping the Department prepare camp for the winter closure.
The Family Camp program will continue to work with current volunteer groups and seek to expand volunteer opportunities. The following are examples of current volunteer efforts:
• Friends of Family Camp – A non-profit organization providing volunteer assistance in the opening, closing and enhancement of Family Camp facilities, it has been conducting periodic work parties at Family Camp since inception and continues to the present day to support site maintenance, camp repairs and modest fundraising activities. • Breathe In Yosemite – A non-profit organization that provides volunteer hours to assist with opening and closing of camp activities.
• Family Camp Nurse Program – Volunteer nurses provided over 120 hours of medical assistance, addressing any non-emergency medical services to campers and staff during the summer season.
• San José Parks Foundation – The San José Parks Foundation has provided funding for marketing and other camp-related efforts. With the Foundation’s help, Family Camp hosted several live concerts for campers during the 2019 summer season. • Groveland District Rangers (part of the USFS) – Staff has established a relationship with Groveland District Rangers from the Stanislaus National Forest. The Head District Ranger volunteers time as a speaker for various pre- and post-season rental groups. • Corporate Volunteers – Staff is working with various corporate volunteer programs, exploring opportunities to work with groups locally, and on site, at Family Camp.
Access and Equity
In October 2021, the Department received City Council approval to submit four applications for the highly competitive California Outdoor Equity Grant. The program’s goal is to increase the ability of residents in low-income communities to participate in outdoor experiences. The Department used grant selection criteria of the number of people in poverty, per capita income, the number of students receiving free or reduced priced meals and the percent of English language learners to identify the City’s four most competitive community home base sites: the Foxdale, Poco Way, Santee and Washington Project Hope neighborhoods. Residents in three of
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
the four neighborhoods were engaged through a combination of in-person and virtual community meetings. Their feedback was incorporated into the proposal to reflect their needs and desires.
If fully funded, this grant would provide residents in these neighborhoods a memorable opportunity to participate in outdoor experiences. The program will consist of local areas outdoor education and a free trip to Family Camp in Groveland, California. Participants will learn about outdoor topics such as camping basics, local area park information and their own environmental impact. The trip to Family Camp will include transportation, meals, activities, a three-night stay and a visit to Yosemite National Park. Residents will return home with a sleeping bag, camping pillow and a drawstring backpack that they can use to explore other natural areas on their own. This will improve the health and wellness of residents by connecting underserved communities to natural areas and providing them with the knowledge needed to continue enjoying the outdoors on their own.
Grant application results are expected to be announced in spring 2022. If funded, the proposed program would likely begin in 2022 serving about 800 residents per year for three years.
CONCLUSION
After being closed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, the City of San José’s Family Camp at Yosemite is preparing to open for the 2022 season. The past two years of suspended operation have afforded staff an opportunity to focus on needed areas of improvement such as site safety, programming offered, and out-of-season event and site management. To succeed, Family Camp must continue to improve customer service, update facility amenities, and provide a stable working environment for staff members. These are all goals that can be reached through effective planning and follow through. Looking ahead, Family Camp is an outdoor programming opportunity that has a high potential for growth. The facility continually brings participants back to nature through traditional community programming that is important to the development of youth and families in today’s digitally dominated society. This connection with nature has a strong effect on visitors who gain a new perspective on what outdoor fun can be.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
In winter 2023, the Department will provide the Neighborhood Services and Education Committee with an update on the 2022 season’s activities and plans for the 2023 season.
NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE
February 22, 2022
Subject: Family Camp Status Report
CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
The recommendation in this memorandum has no effect on Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s website for the March 10, 2022 Neighborhood Services and Education Committee meeting.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Manager’s Budget Office and the City Attorney’s Office.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT
This memorandum will be heard at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on March 2, 2022, and Commission feedback will be provided to the Committee.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17-009, Staff Reports, Assessments, Annual Reports, and Informational Memos that involve no approvals of any City action. /s/
Jon Cicirelli
Director of Parks,
Recreation and Neighborhood Services
For questions, please contact Avi Yotam, Deputy Director, at [email protected].
Attachments:
A. Family Camp at Yosemite Occupancy from 2013 to 2019
B. Family Camp at Yosemite Financial Results from 2013-2014 through January 2022 C. Family Camp at Yosemite Capital Project Costs Since 2017 Attachment A:
Family Camp at Yosemite Occupancy from 2013 to 2019
Season Occupancy Rate Summer
Reservations
2013 39% 1,874
2014 45% 1,705
2015 47% 1,794
2016 59% 2,853
2017 62% 3,012
2018 54% 2,712
2019 50% 2,490
Note: there have been no reservations since the 2019 season due to Covid-19 related closures.
Attachment B:
Family Camp at Yosemite Financial Results from 2013-2014 through January 2022 Fiscal Year Revenue Expenditures +
Encumbrance
Direct Cost
Recovery
2013-2014 $335,738 $520,775 64%
2014-2015 $404,442 $728,780 56%
2015-2016 $444,429 $686,750 65%
2016-2017 $556,624 $718,773 77%
2017-2018 $552,247 $928,844 59%
2018-2019 $428,493 $877,808 49%
2019-2020 $416,286 $799,715 52%
2020-2021 ($3,596) $515,521 Not Applicable
2021-2022
(through January)
($35) $312,348 Not Applicable
Note: Although Family Camp has been closed since 2020, expenses for managing ongoing maintenance needs, facility improvements, capital projects, and program development have continued.
Attachment C:
Family Camp at Yosemite Capital Project Costs Since 2017 Fiscal Year Cost of Capital
Projects
2017-2018 $122,560
2018-2019 $126,000
2019-2020 $140,627
2020-2021 $152,179
2021-2022
(through January)
$26,859